SHOULDA WOULDA COULDA...U NEED TO READ

Too many people put off  something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought  about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming  or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day  about all those people on the Titanic who passed up dessert at  dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on,  I've tried to be a little more flexible.


How many women out there  will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to  dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word  'refrigeration' mean nothing to you?


How often have your kids  dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched ' Jeopardy '  on television? 



I cannot count the times I  called my sister and said , 'How about going to lunch in a half  hour?' She would gas up and stammer, 'I can't. I have clothes on the  line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late  breakfast, It looks like rain' And my personal favorite: 'It's  Monday.' She died a few days ago. We never did have lunch  together.


Because we cram so much  into our lives, we tend to schedule our headaches.. We live on a  sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions  are perfect! 



We'll go back and visit  the grandparents when we get Steve toilet-trained. We'll entertain  when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a second  honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.


Life has a way of  accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of  promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all  we have to show for our lives is a litany of 'I'm going to,' 'I plan  on,' and 'Someday, when things are settled down a bit.'


When anyone calls my  'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available  for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for  life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're  ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Rollerblades and skip an  elevator for a bungee cord. 



My lips have not touched  ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as  well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate  the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a  triple-Decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would  have died happy. 



Now....go on and have a  nice day. Do something you WANT to...not something on your SHOULD DO  list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you  could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are  you waiting? I had a friend from high school that I was always going  to call and never did. The other day her name was in the obituaries  so we never had that chat.

Make sure you read this to  the end; you will understand why I sent this to you. 



Have you ever watched kids  playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the  ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the  sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly?  When you ask, 'How are you?' Do you hear the reply?


When the day is done, do  you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through  your head? Ever told your child, 'We'll do it tomorrow.' and in your  haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship  die? Just call to say 'Hi'? 



When you worry and hurry  through your day, it is like an unopened gift....Thrown away....  Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song  is over. 



Show your friends how much  you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND including me  if you consider me a friend. If it comes back to you, it affirms  your circle of friends.


To those I have sent this  to... I cherish our friendship and appreciate all you do. 

Life may not be the party  we hoped for... But while we are here we might as well  dance!

Submitted By: Paul Armstrong

My Travels

My travels

 

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work. I live close so it's a short drive.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenaline flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!

And, sometimes I think I am in Vincible but life shows me I am not.

People keep telling me I'm in Denial but I'm positive I've never been there before!

I have been in Deep$hit many times; the older I get, the easier it is to get there. I actually kind of enjoy it there.

So far, I haven't been in Continent; but my travel agent says I'll be going some day.

Wishing you all safe travels. 

Submitted by: "The Gentle Giant"

May God Bless US All!!!

Thought for the day: Philosophy For Old Age

Our love for those around us increases when we remember that we are all children of God—that we are spirit brothers and sisters. The love that results from this realization has the power to transcend all boundaries of nation, creed, color, and AGE!

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend.

Mrs. Tugball, delightfully, wanted this to be shared with the readers.

Thought for the Day... Political Correctness

How encouraging is it when you see something like this.

 

There is an annual contest at Texas A&M University calling for the most appropriate definition of a contemporary term: 

                       

This year's term was    "Political Correctness."   

 

The winner wrote:   

 

"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end" 

R. J. Wiedemann LtCol. USMC Ret

Thought For The Day

"Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your heart or burn down your house, you can never tell" --Joan Crawford

On Sunday, September 11th, 2011‏

On Sunday, September 11th, 2011, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States . Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this tenth anniversary of one of our country's worst tragedies. We do this to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds

 Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11. Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round, but if you don't, then at least make it a priority on this day.
Thank you for your participation. God Bless You and God Bless America !

 

 

 

Submitted by: Rufus

 

 

A time for Compassion for everyone

Am I a Fireman yet? This is BEAUTIFUL
Please read and share - what a beautiful story of a true gift and
compassion. . .



If you "tear
up" go ahead, who's watching?




In Calgary,
Alberta a 26-year-old mother stared down
at her 6 year old son, who was dying of
terminal leukemia.

Although her heart was filled with
sadness, she also had a strong feeling of
determination. Like any parent, she
wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all
his dreams. Now that was no longer
possible. The leukemia would see to that.
But she still wanted her son's dream to
come true.

She took her son's hand and asked,
'Billy, did you ever think about what you
wanted to be once you grew up? Did you
ever dream and wish what you would do with
your life?'

‘Mommy, I always wanted to be a
fireman.'

Mom smiled and said, 'Let's see if we can
make your wish come true.'

Later that day she went to her local fire
department in Calgary where
she met Fireman Bob who had a heart as big as Alberta.
She explained her son's final wish and
asked if it might be possible to give her
6 year-old son a ride around the block on
a fire engine.

Fireman Bob said, 'Look, we can do better
than that. If you'll have your son ready
at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll
make him an honorary Fireman for the whole
day. He can come down to the fire
station, eat with us, go out on all the
fire calls, the whole nine yards!

And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll
get a real fire uniform for him, with a
real fire hat; one-with the emblem of the
Calgary Fire Department on it, and a
yellow slicker like we wear and rubber
boots.'
'They're all manufactured right here in
Calgary, so we can get them fast.'



Three days later Fireman Bob picked up
Billy, dressed him in his uniform and
escorted him from his hospital bed to the
waiting hook and ladder truck.

Billy got to sit on the back of the truck
and help steer it back to the fire
station. He was in heaven. There were
three fire calls in Calgary that day and
Billy got to go out on all three calls.

He rode in the different fire engines,
the Paramedics' van,
and even the Fire Chief's car.

He was also videotaped for the local news
program.

Having his dream come true, with all
the love and attention that was lavished upon
him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived
three months longer than any doctor
thought possible.

One night all of his vital signs began to
drop dramatically and the head nurse, who
believed in the hospice concept - that no
one should die alone, began to call the
family members to the hospital.

Then she remembered the day Billy had
spent
as a Fireman, so she called the Fire
Chief and
asked if it would be possible to send a
fireman in uniform
to the hospital to be with Billy as
he made his transition.

The chief replied, 'We can do better than
that.
We'll be there in five minutes.. Will you
please do me a favor?
When you hear the sirens
screaming and see the lights flashing,
will you announce over the PA system that
there is not a fire? It's the department
coming to see one of its finest members
one more time. And will you open
the window to his room?'

About five minutes later a hook and
ladder truck arrived at the hospital and
extended its ladder up to Billy's third
floor open window-16 fire-fighters climbed
up the ladder into Billy's room.

With his mother's permission, they hugged
him and held him and told him how much
they LOVED him.

With his dying breath, Billy
looked up at the fire chief and asked, 'Chief, am
I really a fireman now?'

'Billy, you are, and The Head Chief,
Jesus, is holding your hand,' the chief
said.

With those words, Billy smiled and said,
'I know, He's
been holding my hand all day, and the
angels have been
singing.'

He closed his eyes one last time.


My instructions were to send this to at
least four
people that I wanted God
to bless and I picked you.

Please pass this to at least four people
you want to be blessed.
This story is powerful and there is
nothing attached.

PLEASE do not break this pattern.
Uplifting stories are one of the best
gifts we receive.
There is no cost, but a lot of rewards.
Let's continue to uplift one
another!

This is a true story

Word Of The Day: Paraprosdokian

A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of
 a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes
 the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first  part. It
 is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect, sometimes
 producing an anticlimax. Ø   I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So
 I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.
Ø    Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level
 and beat you with experience. Ø    I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not
 screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.
Ø    Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than
 standing in a garage makes you a car. Ø    The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list. Ø    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear
 bright until you hear them speak.
Ø    If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.
Ø    We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public. Ø    War does not determine who is right - only who is left. Ø    Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting
 it in a fruit salad.
Ø    The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Ø    Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening', and then
 proceed to tell you why it isn't.Ø    To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many
 is research.
Ø    A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a
 train stops. On my desk, I have a work station. Ø    How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it
 takes a whole box to start a campfire?
Ø    Some people are like Slinkies ... not really good for anything,
 but you can't help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs. Ø    Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they
 can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them
 fish. Ø   I  thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted pay checks.Ø    Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says "If an
 emergency, notify:" I put "DOCTOR". Ø    I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you. Ø    I saw a woman wearing a sweat shirt with "Guess" on it...so I
 said "Implants?" Ø    Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a
 successful man is usually another woman.
Ø    A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
Ø    You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute
  to skydive twice. Ø    The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas! Ø    Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won't expect it back. Ø    A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in such a
 way that you will look forward to the trip. Ø    Hospitality:  making your guests feel like they're at home,  even
 if you wish they were. Ø    Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to  live with. Ø    Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they  go.Ø    There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so
 they can't get away. Ø    I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. Ø    When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire
 Department usually uses water. 
Ø    You're never too old to learn something stupid.
Ø    To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever
 you hit the target. Ø    If you are supposed to learn from your mistakes, why do some
 people have more than one child?
Ø    Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine

Thank You

Sustainability isn't about the quick fix or the cheap solution.

Sustainability isn't about the quick fix or the cheap solution. Generally it means making a commitment and trying, as best we can, to honor it. In any worthwhile enterprise, from protecting the environment to preserving a relationship, we are going to encounter difficulties. The good life is not a problem-free life. In point of fact, the process of overcoming adversity often produces some of the most rewarding experiences we will ever have. Human beings need to be challenged to 'test their mettle,' as it were. Throwing in the towel at the first sign of trouble or small inkling of distress may be the easy thing to do, but it doesn't help our self-concept. Most of life's troubles can be overcome if we are willing to work through them with patience.

- Michael A. Schuler

No Matter How Bad You Think You Have It, Persevere

 

 

per·se·vere

 /ˌpɜrsəˈvɪər/ Show Spelled [pur-suh-veer] Show IPA verb,-vered, -ver·ing.

–verb (used without object)

1.

to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.

2.

to persist in speech, interrogation, argument, etc.; insist.

 

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/persevere

 

 

Just a thought

Thought of the day:
Once we had Reagan, Johnny Cash and Bob Hope.

Now we have Obama, no Cash and no Hope.

Maxine Can't Remember Either

A Maxine Idea

A Founder's Quote

"Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right, from the frame of their nature, to knowledge, as their great Creator, who does nothing in vain, has given them understandings, and a desire to know; but besides this, they have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge; I mean, of the characters and conduct of their rulers." --John Adams, Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law, 1756

Learn about John Adams.

Read more about Feudal Law here.

Profound short paragraph

This is probably the 5 best sentences you'll ever read. This is one paragraph that should be in every book in every school room in every city in every state in our great Union .. Our educators should make a lesson plan on this one statement and beat these words into every head in every class in every state in these United States of America.

You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."*

* Adrian Rogers, 1931-2005

Click here for more on Adrian Rogers

www.adrianrogers.org

"As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights. Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties, or his possessions."

--James Madison, National Gazette Essay, March 27, 1792

Here's To Happy Friday and Great Weather!!!

"I love quotations because it is a joy to find thoughts one might have, beautifully expressed with much authority by someone recognized wiser than oneself."
Marlene Dietrich

Thought For The Day

History shows that where ethics and economics come in conflict, victory is always with economics. Vested interests have never been known to have willingly divested themselves unless there was sufficient force to compel them.
B. R. Ambedkar (Indian Politician and founder Of the Indian Constitution.)

Thought For The Day

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.
Benjamin Franklin